It took a bit longer then I'd hoped to finally get to the bridge. The path towards it was guarded, but apparently Lady Anibeli had informed the guards that I was expected. Another set guarded the bridge itself, but I finally entered.

  I found Anibeli sitting in a throne in the middle of the bridge, and I stood to the side and behind her. I bowed, and spoke. "I have done as ordered, My lady. I await your command."

  She didn't reply, but eventually spoke after giving orders to the crew. From what I had heard, they were underway and headed to the closest warp point that would get them to their destination.

  "Nezekiri, follow me." She said, and got up slowly. I heard things click and give slight hisses, interesting. Was she augmented heavily?

  I followed her, and we ended in an office just off the bridge. She waved me to sit, so I sat. She stared at me for a long while, before sighing.

  "How much of what you said was serious? Explain your thoughts. I... I just don't understand. By the holy emperor, what got into you?" She asked.

  I paused, before explaining. I explained the outline of how our race worked, our societal structure, and just what it ment to have the 1 person you have devoted your life to die. I explained how it affected me, and the serious nature of her accepting my service.

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  "My lady, you could ask me anything, and I would tell you. You could order me to end my life and I would... probably not do that. But while there are caveats, you could ask just about anything and I would do it."

  "I... I don't want a slave, Nezekiri. I want a friend. I want my friend. The one who taught me with wit and skill, not an obedient hound. If you can't do that... then please tell me..." She said, sounding sad.

  I didn't know how to respond. I didn't know how else to think. I had never- wait... I had... hmmmm.

  "If... it discomforts you so... how about a contract?" I say hesitantly.

  "What do you mean?" She asks.

  "Ahem. My apologies, it has been... ages, quite literally, since I have had to do this. Uhm... Ok. Ok ok. Yes... Paper and writing utensil if you could?" I say.

  She hands both, and I begin to write on the blank paper. I had to manually write up an assassins contract. There were precedents for prolonged hiring, and I could guess the wording...

  It took a while, but I finished my work. It wasn't a 1-1 copy, and it left my end of the deal quite open ended, but I slid the document over to Anibeli. She looked at the document, slid nodded a bit, then signed.

  "I can't read a damned thing on that paper."

  I paused, looked down, and sighed. It was in necrontyr high script. Shit. Wait- "WHY DID YOU SIGN IT IF YOU CANT BLOODY READ IT YOU DAMNED FOOL?!" I yell loudly.

  "I trust you." She said simply, smiling.

  "YOU TRUST-" I pause, rapidly calming myself. "I love you, dear, but you are a damned moron." I say, rubbing my face.

  She just smiles, and after a bit, changes the subject. "Nezekiri, we are heading back to Grandfather and the rest of the ship's in our trade fleet. Our job is simply to guard the merchants, and maybe scout. Will you be fine with that?" She asks.

  "I am a Deathmark. I have patience beyond mortality itself. I will be well." I say.

  "Good. Now, what will you be doing aboard?"

  "3 things. Guarding you, joining boarding parties, and representing you as needed where needed." I replied.

  "Ok. That last one will... have consequences, I'll bet, but ok. Now, onto the itinerary at large..."